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will be hosted on this thread, "pinned" on the Chat Forum until October 31.

Come one, come all! If you know of members who haven't been around for awhile, invite them back on board for the reunion. We'll "pin" this thread to make it easy to find.

The Cyber-reunion was inspired by this thread: http://forums.welltr...ge-1?hl=history. Lots of names of people we miss showed up on this thread; perhaps some of them can make a special appearance if they are invited. So check your list of Facebook friends, scan your email address list, and invite everyone you can who has ever made a contribution on "the boards." And chime in, yourself, and let us know how you are

The thing that's nice about a cyber-reunion is you don't have to lose weight, color your hair, buy new shoes, or get on a plane. You can even wear your pajamas! If it is possible, it will be helpful for old-timers in particular to remind us of the screen name used in the past. If it's not possible, that's OK.

Please come. Connect. And let's hear each other's stories -- the good, the bad, the inspiring, the lessons learned -- and be glad to be together one more time, as part of the online community that has made and continues to make a difference in our lives.

Kind regards,

Patty Joanna (aka Patty in WA)

"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." (variously attributed)

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My son went to Classical K and 1st in a small nearby school; about halfway through 1st, I found TWTM and loved the references for the books to read and so on. It was perfect timing, as it soon became clear that this school was NOT going to work for my son. We applied to a different school and were wait-listed, so we started homeschooling in a completely unintentional way. And TWTM was my guidebook. I found the discussion boards and they saved my bacon for sure! But they also gave me a community of "imaginary friends" to hang out with.

Homeschooling gave us a lot of freedom--we went skiing every Tuesday for about 7 years--and it was on the ski slope in February that the wait-listed school called and offered my son a spot. They were *stunned* when I turned them down. We were having too much fun with homeschool. My son told me years later that he had never wanted to go to school, that he always wanted to stay home for school, but didn't know it was an option.

We did ancient history that first year--"second grade." And on the advice of an ed-psych, applied to the regional gifted school, and the wait-listed school...and he got accepted at both. And we didn't really want to go to either. So I wrote the refusal letters, and stopped by the P.O. to mail them. I looked at my son, and said, "You know, if I send these, they'll NEVER invite us back." His response could not have been more perfect: "Go ahead, Mom. Cross the Rubicon!" And we did.

We homeschooled until 8.5 grade, and then did a lot of different things, and he ended up graduating...from homeschool. I could not have done it without TWTM, without the boards. And the thing that was very cool is I made *real* friends from "imaginary" ones. People I've traveled with, visited in their homes (Di in No.Cal. and I have a great meet-up story!), people who have stayed in my home... I'm really thankful for them. Most of them are not on the boards now (graduated kids and so on) but we are still in touch via FB and so on. I hope I can get some of them to come here and chime in. :0)

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Patty, you always have been a great hostess! (Do you have brie and wine here?).

Truth: I no longer look as you g as I did in that picture but I still use it!

I found the boards in 2000 and found the most amazing support group I could have imagined. The first time I read WTM I was sold. Our dd graduated last year after homeschooling until she did Running Start at the college. She is studying to be a teacher. Our son will be starting Running Start this year. And because life wasn't crazy enough we adopted twin boys five years ago and we are starting totally over this year with Kindergarten! I can't wait to use all the PHP stuff that wasn't around the first time through.

Two in college, two in Kindergarten... my own personal reality TV show!!

I also have the privilege of teaching math for The Well Trained Mind Academy. I'm loving that!!

I'm looking forward to some old familiar faces here. You all have no idea how much I relied on this group back in the day. I may have to come back more now that I am starting over! My next two have some learning issues that the first two didn't have. It turns out I wasn't nearly the wonderful homeschooling mom that I thought I was...I just had easy students the first time around.

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I'm going to post now before I forget. Patty was one of the first people to talk to me on the boards; her kindness was memorable that's how I know that. It's appropriate that she invited me to the reunion.

When I first started coming to the boards my oldest was in 4th grade in Christian school and I was researching homeschooling. Now he is TEACHING 4th grade in a classical Christian school. He graduated from Patrick Henry College this past May.

My youngest is 13 and attending that same school. He's technically in 9th grade but I'm calling it 8th grade. Or maybe we'll be like Lori M and he'll attend 13th and 14th grade.

My #2 son is working on a degree in business, in his 3rd year of college but 2nd year toward his degree. :glare:

I can't tell you how much this board has meant to me. I've met some of my dearest friends here - and yes, we've actually met in real life. I joke with *Anj* that I have shared more hotel rooms with her than I have with my husband - wee bit of hyperbole. I also joke with *Anj* that whenever we run into SWB in real life (or Andrew Kern or MCT or fill in the blank) they ALWAYS remember her and never me. that part is true. :hat:

Looking forward to reading this thread in the coming weeks.

Karen

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I started coming to the boards in 1999, when my oldest was Kindergarten age. (She's 21 now.) Had five kids, total, and homeschooled them all. My second oldest is in his third year of college, the third and fourth kids are still being homeschooled (13 and 14yo) and the 10yo went to public school this year. First kid to ever do that. (Oldest two went to CC during high school, and then the second oldest went to college).

No longer married, I work as a freelance copywriter/journalist, and run a blog. Someone mentioned my old blog, The Crib Chick...that still gets hits, actually. Especially the homeschooling posts. I mean...you gotta laugh...

I developed a lot of good relationships from this board. And found great support for doing the kind of homeschooling I wanted to do.

Nice walk down memory lane! You did a lot of people a good turn by starting these boards, SWB!

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My dh came home one evening with a library book. "I think you'll like this!" Ds was 3 yo (1999) and it was, indeed, WTM, 1st edition. I LOVED it, and away we went!

Ds is now a sophomore in college, studying computer science - he's always been my tech support (I think that used to be my tag line, iirc), and I am delighted that he is actually enjoying it. Although he never LOVED school (as I did - so it was always so hard to homeschool a non-school-lover!), he maintains that everything he knows about history he learned from SOTW. Thank you, SWB!

I worked the whole time I was hs'ing ds (I'm a doctor ---- I think Ria once 'outed' me (just kidding) by saying, "GraceinMD isn't just IN MD but IS an MD"), but never missed a baseball game, or any 'events' --- I have been very, very blessed. I am now full-time working as a hospice and palliative medicine physician. I remember our dear Alphabet Pam ("SFSOM") trying to decide whether to become a doula ... and she is now a hospice nurse! (We're both 'birthing' people at the other end of life, so to speak!)

I wish Amy still made soap with that stunning Swedish Snowdrops scent. The Christmas I gave her soaps is still talked about - everyone loved them!

Last October, I was at my nephew's wedding, and met many of my sil's extended family. I met my sil's niece and new husband-- and realized that *anj* had posted congratulatory messages on the niece's page. "*Anj*! How do you know niece/new husband?!" Turns out new husband is the son of a good friend of *anj*'s! Small world.

I've gone on to FB friend several of you, but don't think I've met any of you in real life - which is most definitely my big, big loss. Maybe some day!

Best to you all,

GraceinMD

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I worked the whole time I was hs'ing ds (I'm a doctor ---- I think Ria once 'outed' me (just kidding) by saying, "GraceinMD isn't just IN MD but IS an MD"), but never missed a baseball game, or any 'events' --- I have been very, very blessed. I am now full-time working as a hospice and palliative medicine physician. I remember our dear Alphabet Pam ("SFSOM") trying to decide whether to become a doula ... and she is now a hospice nurse! (We're both 'birthing' people at the other end of life, so to speak!)

e on to FB friend several of you, but don't think I've met any of you in real life - which is most definitely my big, big loss. Maybe some day!

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I forgot: I use so much of what I did with ds in homeschooling in doing patient education, and staff education.

I just the other day mentioned how I was thinking of making a lapbook (remember those!!? I LOVED lapbooks) to teach concepts of palliative medicine. I have a whole curriculum for teaching end-of-life care in nursing homes that is based on teaching concepts I learned while homeschooling.

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My dh came home one evening with a library book. "I think you'll like this!" Ds was 3 yo (1999) and it was, indeed, WTM, 1st edition. I LOVED it, and away we went!

Ds is now a sophomore in college, studying computer science - he's always been my tech support (I think that used to be my tag line, iirc), and I am delighted that he is actually enjoying it. Although he never LOVED school (as I did - so it was always so hard to homeschool a non-school-lover!), he maintains that everything he knows about history he learned from SOTW. Thank you, SWB!

I worked the whole time I was hs'ing ds (I'm a doctor ---- I think Ria once 'outed' me (just kidding) by saying, "GraceinMD isn't just IN MD but IS an MD"), but never missed a baseball game, or any 'events' --- I have been very, very blessed. I am now full-time working as a hospice and palliative medicine physician. I remember our dear Alphabet Pam ("SFSOM") trying to decide whether to become a doula ... and she is now a hospice nurse! (We're both 'birthing' people at the other end of life, so to speak!)

I wish Amy still made soap with that stunning Swedish Snowdrops scent. The Christmas I gave her soaps is still talked about - everyone loved them!

Last October, I was at my nephew's wedding, and met many of my sil's extended family. I met my sil's niece and new husband-- and realized that *anj* had posted congratulatory messages on the niece's page. "*Anj*! How do you know niece/new husband?!" Turns out new husband is the son of a good friend of *anj*'s! Small world.

I've gone on to FB friend several of you, but don't think I've met any of you in real life - which is most definitely my big, big loss. Maybe some day!

Best to you all,

GraceinMD

Grace - I just realized we know each other in real life. Your son and my daughter graduated the same high school together. I was the other hospice person and we sat and talked "shop" at the intro. dinner when our kids joined the school. Small world.

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I stumbled upon the old board when my daughter was a toddler. :) I guess that was around 2004 or so. I lurked more than I posted, gleaned much more wisdom than I ever gave. Through this board I've gathered dear friends...wise mentors...encouraging words. I'm not here as much anymore, but I will always be grateful for this place and the community that it built for me.

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I am LB, one of the oldies, aka Needleroozer, and LB in Seattle in the earliest days. My 20 yr old daughter and 23 yr old son were 5 & 8 when I found the WTM boards. We schooled up to high school levels. My daughter did Running Start and is now in her 3rd of 6 years at Eastern, where she is double majoring in film and theater with a music minor. My son works full time and is threatening to start college in the spring. His father and sister and I are hoping it happens.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 yrs ago, and have been fighting hard since. In August I had my first year mammogram, which came out clear. I am still recuperating and recovering, but getting stronger all the time.

I am currently nannying a special needs 18 month old and his 4 yr old sister, and am in the midst of training to become an NCS, or newborn care specialist (basically a specialized in night nanny for newborns, preemies, high order multiples, etc.), once I am done with this Kidlet next summer. I am really excited for this new focus in my career.

In addition to nannying, I am also focusing on painting daily and developing an art website. I also rescued a delightful sweet dog. That's about all the updates I can think of for now.

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Grace - I just realized we know each other in real life. Your son and my daughter graduated the same high school together. I was the other hospice person and we sat and talked "shop" at the intro. dinner when our kids joined the school. Small world.

Debbi! How fun!

I still laugh (ok, usually just in my head) about that intro dinner, because my impression is that I wasn't really enjoying it until I found YOU to talk to about death, and that people would wander up to us, realize what we were talking about (suffering! death! dying! hospice!) and would sort of sidle away....

LOL!

How is your daughter doing?

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And don't get all raucous and get us moderated in here, Patty. I haven't been moderated on the WTM boards since a certain math discussion about ten years ago. But I think it was a thread about writing programs that we were both involved in where we originally clicked. It's a shame that whole thread was deleted. Probably something you said.

I wasn't still posting when the boards got their face lift, but I came and signed up anyway just so no one could get my name.

*sigh* Lots of familiar names. Of course, some of you are stuck with me on Facebook. :-)

I found the forums when my oldest, now 18, was in K or 1st. I remember a few fun times when SWB joined us for chatting. (If you're reading Susan, I remember once when, I think, you had returned from a fair. You were the first person I ever saw mention a deep fried Oreo. And I've still never had one.) And I met some really good friends here whom I still adore.

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I still laugh (ok, usually just in my head) about that intro dinner, because my impression is that I wasn't really enjoying it until I found YOU to talk to about death, and that people would wander up to us, realize what we were talking about (suffering! death! dying! hospice!) and would sort of sidle away....

LOL!

How is your daughter doing?

LOL - I remember. I hate meet and greets too and I'm sure I was whining and complaining to my outgoing daughter the whole way there. So glad we struck up a conversation that night.

Daughter is doing well. Took her to the airport today to start her study abroad semester in London. I'm so jealous! How's your son doing?

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Fun Fact: I've never met KathyJo, but my entire family has dined with her dh. :0)

This cracked me up.

I found the WTM in 1999 and started homeschooling my then 5th grader in 2000.

I was on the High School Board mostly, trying to prepare myself for the big job, then found the "General Board" as it was called back then when it still flipped.

The regular crowd back then was Ree (now the famous Pioneer Woman), Ria, Colleen, GraceinMD, WTMindy - I always thought how clever of a name she chose...ahhh the memories. I still remember sitting at a desktop computer at my old house, cursing the slow dial up connection. :lol:

ETA: Just remembered a few more people I wish would check in: PariSarah. JeaninWisconsin and Kelli in TN.

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Thank you, Patty! I'm all ferklempt reading about everyone! This board was so huge in my life. I joined in 2000 after reading the first book. I always think of you guys when 9/11 rolls around because this is the first place I came when it happened. I learned so much about homeschooling, cooking, and just about everything here. As you can see, I'm still a night owl. I used to love being on the boards (in my quiet house because everyone was asleep) and trying to be the one to claim "FIRST!" Silly but so much fun! Because I live in Orlando, I've had a chance to meet many WTMer's in person - you know, because everyone eventually comes to Disney. I've made lifelong friends here - real and imaginary. Back in 2004, when Mike got so sick (and we had four hurricanes in a row) this board kept me functioning - I will never forget it.

Update: If you remember me, I had four sons. My oldest, Danny, was starting third grade when I joined these boards. He is a graduate of FSU with a degree in engineering. He got married to the legendary "girl-that-is-a-friend" this past June. (My picture is me dancing with Danny at the wedding - Eep Op Ork Ah Ah from the Jetson's sung by the Violent Femmes. LOL) He and Christi are living in Ann Arbor - he's got a great job and she's finishing up graduate school. Tim, one of my twins, is in Denver working with a lighting company and living in the Flying Saucer RV Resort. He's earning money to finish up his last 1 1/2 years of school. Ian, the other twin, is finishing his last year at FSU with a double major in literature and economics (because, you know, that's marketable!). Andy, my baby, is a sophomore and is missing his big brothers - still homeschooled. He's easy to homeschool - he learned which buttons NOT to push with me while watching his brothers grow up. ;) He's on a crew team and, while it's incredibly time-consuming and demanding, loves it. While he rows, I write and people pay me for it. Thanks to TWTM boards and all the wonderful people, I write a lot about homeschooling and education.

I'm trying to enjoy the last few years of homeschooling while trying to figure out what the heck to do with myself. With three kids gone and the one at home pretty much self-sufficient, I constantly feel like I'm cheating. I should be busier or the house should be dirtier. Old habits are hard to break, huh?

Looking forward to reading about everyone and finding out where you are now. :grouphug:

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Hey everyone, I made it to the reunion, late as usual. I'm not on the boards much lately. I work in our print shop full time when school is out and half time when school is in session. We're still homeschooling. My oldest is taking 4 classes in public Highschool this year and two classes with a private tutor. She's pilot training.

I'm obsessed with fairy tales these days. It all started with reading Russian Fairy Tales. I really enjoy read aloud / morning basket time with the kids. We're newbs in CC this year.

Something I have planned for our school year is to read aloud the original stories of various rides and movies featured by Disney. We are currently reading Through the Looking Glass. Other books on the list are Peter and Wendy, Pinnocchio, Bambi, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Uncle Remes Stories, Arabian Nights, Beauty and the Beast, The Wind in the Willows, and a few others. I'll probably add more of this for future years. I'm having great fun trying to find the earliest editions of these stories with original art.

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Oh!!! Patty, thank you for starting this thread! I've *missed* so many people here! I've even missed these emoticons! :lol:

I joined the board in early 1999, back when the boards had names like "Winter/Spring 1999" and many of us just used our real first and last names because we didn't know any better.

I remember:

1. The board flip on Dec. 31, 1999, when suddenly all our posts were transported back to January 1, 1900.

2. All of us suggesting ways to help SWB go into labor!

3. SWB had just written the very first "Story of the World," and for some reason (was the publication date delayed??) she offered to send us paper photocopies of early chapters of SOTW 1 to tide us over until the book came out. We sent checks to her house to pay for copies/postage. Then they were lost, or accidentally thrown into the fireplace, or something, and we sent checks again. :)

4. Vigorous debates/wars/serious conversations about math and Latin curriculum, or whether or not grammar stage kids should read abridged versions of classics.

5. The waving microphone.

6. Sharing pages and pages of lesson plans and outlines, lists of books and movies at the library, and lists of cool websites. Everybody was so willing to share, and I still have several of your lists and templates!

Depending upon the year you joined the board, I would have been:

1999-2001: Hillary ____ or Hillary in ID

2001-2004: Hillary in WI

2004-2008: Hillary in KS

Then we couldn't change board names anymore, so I am stuck in KS.

I've been in NE and OR since then, and will be moving again in Nov. My oldest was in Kindergarten when I started, and he's now a sophomore at University of Nebraska with a double-major in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics. My middle son is starting his freshman year in high school, and my youngest is starting 6th grade.

I have so many happy memories associated with all your names, and I am giggling to myself, reliving them! :hurray:

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Oh!!! Patty, thank you for starting this thread! I've *missed* so many people here! I've even missed these emoticons! :lol:

I joined the board in early 1999, back when the boards had names like "Winter/Spring 1999" and many of us just used our real first and last names because we didn't know any better.

I remember:

1. The board flip on Dec. 31, 1999, when suddenly all our posts were transported back to January 1, 1900.

2. All of us suggesting ways to help SWB go into labor!

3. SWB had just written the very first "Story of the World," and for some reason (was the publication date delayed??) she offered to send us paper photocopies of early chapters of SOTW 1 to tide us over until the book came out. We sent checks to her house to pay for copies/postage. Then they were lost, or accidentally thrown into the fireplace, or something, and we sent checks again. :)

4. Vigorous debates/wars/serious conversations about math and Latin curriculum, or whether or not grammar stage kids should read abridged versions of classics.

5. The waving microphone.

6. Sharing pages and pages of lesson plans and outlines, lists of books and movies at the library, and lists of cool websites. Everybody was so willing to share, and I still have several of your lists and templates!

Depending upon the year you joined the board, I would have been:

1999-2001: Hillary ____ or Hillary in ID

2001-2004: Hillary in WI

2004-2008: Hillary in KS

Then we couldn't change board names anymore, so I am stuck in KS.

I've been in NE and OR since then, and will be moving again in Nov. My oldest was in Kindergarten when I started, and he's now a sophomore at University of Nebraska with a double-major in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics. My middle son is starting his freshman year in high school, and my youngest is starting 6th grade.

I have so many happy memories associated with all your names, and I am giggling to myself, reliving them! :hurray:

ETA: I can't believe I have no warning points! Yes!!!! :w00t:

Lol on warning points!

On point number 4 I distinctly remember favoring Singapore and Ecclesiastical Latin.

Now ... I don't have to care anymore!! :::does little ballerina twirl with nose in the air:::

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Thanks to Patty Joanna for the heads-up about the thread! No idea when I started here or when I left or why. But these boards sure made an impression. I made some lifelong friends here--and a lifelong conversion, again thanks to PattyJo. Many blessings to all! :wub:

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PS: Someone asked about clwcain and beloved wife. Both are still awesome, still in Dallas metro, and still having kids. They finally had a girl a few years ago! The little princess has 5 brothers, bless her heart. :huh: :laugh:

This is why I chose KathyJo, and I wanted to make sure no one else got it! LOL We've homeschooled in OK, SC, TX, IL, and now back in TX. I remember that Stephanie was "Stephanie NOT in TX" for a while. :-)

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I can't remember when I officially joined the boards, but it was around 2000, I believe. Since then, we've lived in NC, VA, Okinawa, CA, and now we're back in NC. I'm down to homeschooling our youngest (11). I miss babies. :)BUT, I have a grandson so I get my baby fix as often as I can.

WTM boards introduced me to many friends, and while I'm not very active on the board I still maintain close ties to several of them. Like most of the older members, I miss the way it used to be. I guess we had our own kind of crazy back then, but it was a good crazy. :)

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Thanks to Patty Joanna for the heads-up about the thread! No idea when I started here or when I left or why. But these boards sure made an impression. I made some lifelong friends here--and a lifelong conversion, again thanks to PattyJo. Many blessings to all! :wub:

:seeya: Leila! I didn't know who you or Amy were just by the name, but I saw your signature. I don't think we were ever together on the boards before.

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I think I found the boards in 2004 when my oldest was just starting Grade 1. I read through them almost every day up until just a couple of years ago. I still check in periodically. I'm glad I found the boards back then, because I learned SO MUCH from more experienced classical homeschoolers about how to actually teach various subjects or how to look for decent books to use. My mind also grew as I read various debates/discussions on various topics over the years. People would post very well-thought out arguments.

I, too, have been able to meet a few boardies over the years, which has been fun! I remember the first one I met - I think her boardname is Kristiana. She was posting one time about taking a vacation to Nova Scotia (she lived in Salt Lake City), so I invited her to come here for supper if she was going to be in my part of NS. Can you imagine doing that with a stranger on the internet, lol?!?!?! But she did; she and her husband. I remember when they arrived, her husband (a police officer) came into the house with a guarded look on his face and at first I couldn't figure out why, lol. But we ended up having a nice time together over supper. She even gave me a CD with some of her music on it. I think I still have it; I came across it recently in our collection.

My kids are in Grades 9 and 12 now, which is hard to believe. Just today I was tweaking course descriptions in preparation for sending in university applications. And starting the whole search-for-scholarships shindig. It's a whole different world from the days of learning how to implement copywork and math fact flashcards. But it's doable, one step at a time, and many thanks to SWB and the people on these boards.

I'm trying to think of who I'd love to see check in here, but my mind is going blank! Oh hey, how about Janice in NJ - anyone in touch with her?

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